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Original poster

To think hierarchy doesn't work at work?

187 replies

Scarlettjune · 26/05/2026 22:27

I have a boss that is currently making my life a misery. She is very hierarchal and she wants me to see her as above me in status. She micro manages constantly. I have had a couple of bosses like her before and it always made the workplace extremely miserable. Hierarchy leaves workplaces open to abuse of power

The best bosses I ever had were the ones that saw themselves as being on the same level as the rest of us. I remember one great boss who said "I'm th same as the rest of you guys I just have different work responsbilities". We all worked really well with hk,

OP posts:
Original poster
Scarlettjune · 26/05/2026 22:55

Anarchy99 · 26/05/2026 22:53

I don’t trust the ‘I’m just like you guys’ type bosses though as ime they are the first to drop you in it!

The one I had never dropped any of us in it. He was great from beginning to end. To everyone,

He said that he had actually learned to be a good manager from his dad, who was a manager. His dad told him to treat people with respect

OP posts:
HeddaGarbled · 26/05/2026 22:54

I’ve had bosses who wouldn’t make unpopular but necessary decisions because they wanted to be liked by everyone, so I don’t agree. An effective manager can’t be “on the same level”.

The best bosses find the right balance between being too autocratic and being a pushover. They are rare.

Notmyreality · 26/05/2026 22:53

Scarlettjune · 26/05/2026 22:52

I did something at work the other day that was very minor. My boss said to me "you should have asked a senior manager can you do that".

She also insists on being cc'd in on every email that anyone sends, so "a senior manager" can see it. She drives us all mad

Show quote history

She is insecure.

Anarchy99 · 26/05/2026 22:53

I don’t trust the ‘I’m just like you guys’ type bosses though as ime they are the first to drop you in it!

Original poster
Scarlettjune · 26/05/2026 22:52

Notmyreality · 26/05/2026 22:51

The best bosses/leaders are those who are confident and competent enough that they don’t need to remind everyone they are the boss every 5 mins.

Military is different. You need to follow orders or people die. It’s that simple.

Edited

Exactly!

OP posts:
Original poster
Scarlettjune · 26/05/2026 22:52

Leopardspota · 26/05/2026 22:45

I agree. The constant reminders that they are in charge are pitiful. My old boss was great, always made me feel like we were a team. I respected her and loved working for/with her.

I did something at work the other day that was very minor. My boss said to me "you should have asked a senior manager can you do that".

She also insists on being cc'd in on every email that anyone sends, so "a senior manager" can see it. She drives us all mad

OP posts:
Notmyreality · 26/05/2026 22:51

The best bosses/leaders are those who are confident and competent enough that they don’t need to remind everyone they are the boss every 5 mins.

Military is different. You need to follow orders or people die. It’s that simple.

Original poster
Scarlettjune · 26/05/2026 22:50

Myskyscolour · 26/05/2026 22:48

Someone has to be accountable, otherwise there will always be a situation one day when everybody thinks « someone else will do it » and nobody does.
You also need someone to have final say when there is no team consensus.
Or someone with the legitimity to challenge certain behaviours - for ex a team member who is always late / avoids certain tasks / is rude / etc

Edited

Yeah but can't they just ask "did you get that done". One of my bosses was not hierarchal in any way, and the work always got done.

Hierarchal bosses often seem to abuse their power

OP posts:
Myskyscolour · 26/05/2026 22:48

Someone has to be accountable, otherwise there will always be a situation one day when everybody thinks « someone else will do it » and nobody does.
You also need someone to have final say when there is no team consensus.
Or someone with the legitimity to challenge certain behaviours - for ex a team member who is always late / avoids certain tasks / is rude / etc

Leopardspota · 26/05/2026 22:45

I agree. The constant reminders that they are in charge are pitiful. My old boss was great, always made me feel like we were a team. I respected her and loved working for/with her.

Original poster
Scarlettjune · 26/05/2026 22:44

AllMyExesWearRolexes · 26/05/2026 22:41

The Army manage OK...

Does it? Because I know two ex army guys and both are traumatised from their Time in the army!

OP posts:
AllMyExesWearRolexes · 26/05/2026 22:41

The Army manage OK...